I couldn't agree more spray makes a mess of your needle and gums up your machine and turns thing yellow ...ask me how I know , never again. :(

I've never used spray glue like 505 in fusing applique, but I have used acid-free glue sticks in pp and applique for landscape wall hangings. Acid-free glue sticks work just fine... ya know... "a little dab will do ya". You could also do the new "window" fusible method (only uses a thin piece of fusible around the perimeter, which keeps the project softly pliable).

Is this sold at Joann's Fabric or other sewing supply places so you don't have to add shipping to the cost?
GJoyce

I've purchased Mary Ellen's Best Press at Joann's but have also bought it at Kmart.

Have you considered using fusible thread instead of something like steam a seam?

As long as it's water soluble the glue will be fine. I stopping using fusible webbing cos I didn't like the stiffness it created and my quilt wasn't soft. I believe over time and washing the applique gets softer but I want my quilts to be cuddly as soon as they're finished. I just dab with glue stick to hold in place while I stitch round. I'm not a big fan of applique but I've put hearts and butterflies on baby quilts and with my grandchildren wanting their names on book bags and notebook covers it the way to go as far I'm concerned.

I went to a seminar of sorts about fusible. No name brand sponsor just facts and demos. The bottom line was use the very best fusible for the best results. I got samples of about every brand made and the best in my opinion for applique is SoftFuse Paper Backed Fusible Web. Also Beth Ferrier has a new one I haven't tried yet.

back in the days before fusibles, i used elmer's school glue to hold the patches on my husband's army fatigue uniforms. didn't take much on the back, put them in place, then pressed with heavy books on it for awhile. no fingers were abused by pins this way. once sewn in place you didn't know the glue was there, and it came out when washed and the patches were all flat. my 2 cents worth.

I watched Sharon Schamberger on utube apply school glue when attaching binding to her quilt and ironing it dry as did TXGMimi and Sharon said the glue gives body and washes completely out. I don't know if she uses it for qpplique? She didn't use any pins for the binding.

For larger appliques I use the fusibles made for doing that, but for making smaller things (like the hummingbirds and flowers in my avatar) I use glue sticks (learned about this when taking a class) -- and I don't worry about going to the edge with the glue stick, just sew very slowly, which has to be done because the pieces are so small. The concept of having stiff stuff in the quilt when it's done is awful! Also, I hate involving chemicals in my quilting... Not only do I have reactions sometimes, but I don't want to pass chemicals on to whoever gets the quilt!!!